DRUG CASES KEEP LOCAL MOUNTIES BUSY

Cocaine and marijuana-related crime is keeping Campbell River police busy,
according to RCMP statistics for this past summer.

"Our statistical information clearly indicates that our drug investigators
are extremely busy," said Insp. Larry Stright in his quarterly report to
council.

"We are continually receiving complaints from the public concerning
neighbourhood drug houses. Even though our statistics indicate that our
investigators are making a valiant effort to address these problems, many
citizens' complaints remain in queue for lengthy periods of time due to a
lack of available resources."

Cocaine and marijuana dealers have been high on police hit lists - during
this past summer, from July-September, police laid 128 per cent more
charges for cocaine trafficking and 231 per cent more charges for marijuana
trafficking than last year.

Overall, reported drug offences increased by 70 per cent over last year.

However, Stright said the statistics don't necessarily mean Campbell
River's drug problem is getting worse.

"The increase in statistics would more than likely represent an increase in
enforcement rather than a statement of the drug problem in our community,"
he said. The sharp rise in residential break-and-enters is more concerning
to police, Stright said.

"Although we consider all break and enters important, the reason we are
particularly concerned about residential break and enters is the increased
potential for contact/violence between suspects and victims," said Stright.

Statistics show there were 39 per cent more residential break and enters
this summer than during the same time last year, making them one of the
RCMP's biggest concerns, Stright said. On the other hand, business
break-and-enters have decreased by 10 per cent.

"Keeping our community and particularly our homes safe is our highest
priority," he said.

Stright was also concerned about the overall amount of property crime in
Campbell River, which has increased by 16 per cent compared to last year.

"It is evident that we continue to have a very active criminal element
involved in property crimes," Stright said.

Despite an increase in criminal activity in Campbell River, Stright said
the city isn't doing too badly compared to the rest of B.C.

"From reports that we are hearing, the overall crime rates in the province
are on the increase with many communities experiencing significantly higher
increases than Campbell River," he said.

However, Stright added, the added workload is leaving officers with less
time to solve their cases.

"Our officers are spending a large portion of their time responding to the
increase in calls for service as opposed to investigating crime," he said.

RCMP are also concerned about increases in vehicle theft, theft from
vehicles, shoplifting, willful damage, disturbing the peace and mental
health-related calls.